Android OS – The Open Source Weakness

The Android Operating System is an Open-Source system, operated by Google since 2005.

Although Google is maintaining the Android base code, still anyone could work based on the Android OS without using Google’s portion of the code.

What this means is that anyone could download the SDK (software development kit) and release Apps to Google Play store.

This is a huge advantage (especially for Google who charge around 30% of all App revenue), as anyone could potentially develop, distribute and earn from their App.

It also enables a proliferation of Apps to thrive in the Android ecosystem, with increased competition which drives the App market for more innovation and more improvements.

What is a huge advantage on the one hand, is also the Android OS greatest weakness.

Being an Open Source system, there are hundreds if not thousands of Apps available at any given time that are aimed at ‘scraping’ your personal data.

This includes your texts, chats, browsing history, photos and more.

All of those could be easily stolen from your phone.

As opposed to Apple iOS, on Android, you do not have to go through Google Play in order to install an App.

Google Play is relatively protected against malware and phishing Apps, but most Android users tend to download Apps directly, without always authenticating their source.

The very thing that makes Android such as strong and popular system, also makes it very dangerous for users.

Android users can still enjoy all the benefits of their device with guaranteed privacy and security by using a VPN.

How a VPN works

When you install a VPN on your mobile phone, you essentially change how your online presence appears on the internet and outside world.

The VPN reroutes your connection through an encrypted AES-256 bit ‘tunnel’ and reconnected you through secured servers on the location of your choice.

In the process, your IP address which is your online fingerprint changes as well.

The result is, that your Android phone will become untraceable, and your connection would become completely private.

In addition, your new IP address could grant you access to Geo-restricted websites, that you would not have been able to access otherwise.

If you want to watch US television shows like Game Of Thrones or The Walking Dead on your Android device, and you are outside the US, all you need to do is connect to a US server and then watch on HBO, Netflix, Hulu or any other streaming service.

The VPN connection would also add additional security protocols on your Android device, which will make it impossible to hack.

What to look for in an Android VPN App

Before choosing a VPN for Android, you should keep an eye for some important features.

Daniel Krupp is the editor in chief of vpnlocker.com. He Served at an intelligence unit at the US military, specializing in Cyber-Security. This is where he first learned the importance of cyber-security and the tools that should be used to accomplish it. He became an expert in understanding and utilizing VPN’s and other proxies to unblock websites and online services. Daniel consults and writes VPN reviews, VPN guides and useful tricks and hacks for a better, freer internet.